How to Make a Butterfly Cross Quilt Block
Learn how to make a twelve-inch Butterfly Cross quilt block with our free quilt block pattern. This versatile block is an excellent addition to a sampler quilt or as a single repeated block on a completed quilt top.
Over the last few years, I’ve been slowly creating a Sampler quilt made with a gray background and colorful quilt blocks.
I’m sticking to mostly traditional block designs that have been around for a long time. As I create the blocks in the quilt, I’m sharing free quilt block patterns for the blocks with you!
Sampler Quilt Details
- All Blocks are 12” x 12” finished
- Background fabric is Iron by Riley Blake Designs
- Print fabrics are from my fabric collections through the years, this block is created with fabric from my Bluegrass Charm Collection.
- Most blocks are monochromatic
- I’m creating the quilt from my scrap bin, so I don’t have specific fabric requirements to share with you.
- The final layout is yet to be determined!
About the Butterfly Cross Block
The Butterfly Cross quilt block is a charming design that combines the symmetry of a traditional cross block with the delicate angles of butterfly-inspired shapes. Often made with contrasting fabrics, the block features diagonal “wings” radiating from a central cross, creating movement and a light, airy feel.
It’s a versatile block that works beautifully in both scrappy quilts and quilts with more coordinated color palettes.
This 10″ Vintage Delight quilt block has a similar feel to this Butterfly Cross Block, but is constructed in a slightly different manner.
Butterfly Cross Quilt Block Pattern
supplies
- 1 Fat Quarter Background Fabric Gray
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric A Pink
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric B White 1 Large Scrap at least 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”
Instructions
Cutting:
- Background Fabric (BK): 4 pieces 3” x 3” 4 pieces 2 1/2” x 5 1/2” 4 pieces 3 1/2” x 3 1/2”Fabric A (Pink): 4 pieces 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” 4 pieces 3” x 3”Fabric B (White): 1 piece 2 1/2” x 2 1/2”
Step One: Create Half-Square Triangles (HST)
- Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all 4 of your 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” pieces of BK fabric. Layer one 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” piece of BK fabric with one 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” piece of Fabric A, right sides facing.
- Sew 1/4” on each side of the drawn line. Cut apart along the drawn line. Flip the fabric open and press.
- Trim and square up to 3” x 3”. You should have two BK/Fabric A Half-Squares Triangles (HSTs).
- Repeat three more times with the remaining 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” Fabric A pieces.
Step Two: Assemble Corners
- Sew one HST created in step one to one 3” x 3” piece of BK Fabric as shown.
- Sew one HST created in Step one to one 3” x 3” piece of Fabric A as shown.
- Sew these two units to each other.
- Repeat 3 more times to have four sewn units.
Step Three: Assembly Part One
- Sew one Step Two Unit to each side of one of the 2 1/2” x 5 1/2” pieces of BK Fabric as shown.
- Repeat
Step Four: Assembly Part Two
- Sew one 2 1/2” x 5 1/2” piece of BK Fabric to each side of the 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” piece of Fabric B.
- Sew one Step Three unit to the top and bottom of this piece to complete your block.
More Free Twelve-Inch Quilt Block Patterns
- Churn Dash Quilt Block
- Log Cabin Quilt Block
- Friendship Star Quilt Block
- Economy Block
- Shoo-Fly Quilt Block
- Bear Paw Quilt Block
- Maple Leaf Quilt Block
- Maple Star Quilt Block
- Nine Patch Quilt Block
- Turnstile Quilt Block
- Sawtooth Star Quilt Block
- Bow Tie Quilt Block
- Ohio Star Quilt Block
- Pinwheel Star Quilt Block
- Basket Quilt Block
- Heart Quilt Block
- Rail Fence Quilt Block
- Annie’s Choice Quilt Block
- Butterfly Cross Quilt Block
Where does the 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 pieces of Fabric A and the background fabric fit in, I assume you have to make HST’s out of that too? But where do they go?
There was a typo in the first pattern, the 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ pieces are used to make the HST’s. It’s been corrected if you’d like to print another copy.
On the butterfly cross block shouldn’t the half square triangles be made with the 3 1/2 inch squares not the 3 inch squares? Just asking.
Yes, it’s the 3 1/2″ squares – that’s what I get for late night quilt pattern writing LOL!